SANIBEL AND CAPTIVA ISLANDS - A MEMORY - MARCH 19

When we lived in Toronto, we took a trip to Florida one year and remembered fondly camping in our VW on Sanibel Island. Those days are gone! Although it is still one of the most important turtle egg-laying areas in the US, it is a sad reminder of the memories we have. Wall to wall high rises, marinas, holiday homes shops, more shops, restaurants, line the whole beach area.

  One good thing is the J. Ding Darling National Wildlife preserve and we spent a few hours enjoying the 4 mile drive through with lots of stops for photo opportunities. It i a haven for bird life, and we are learning there is more to egrets and herons than little white and blue birds. 

  It is also wonderful that it's osprey season. They are thriving in this part of the world, and the angry looking wee faces peeping out of the nests or starting to furl their wings are great to watch. Also the pair of parents tenderly caring for their young. 

The anhingas, spreading their black and white plumes to dry, are a beautiful sight.

The tricolored heron was a new species for us.

And the rare green heron sitting silently for its prey was a special sighting.